10th Anniversary Photo Tour of Bhutan - 2013

17 nights & two festivals.

For our tenth anniversary tour we decided to travel right accroass Bhutan starting in the east where we visit two festivals. The east gets far less tourists & will therefore we have a much better enviroment for good festival images.

Transportation in Bhutan is by 4X4 vehicles. We believe this is the best way to experience the country, giving flexibility to you as a photographer to indulge your creative passion. There will be a Bhutanese guide with every vehicle to help you with translation with the local people. Most younger Bhutanese speak good or reasonable English.This tour is suitable for experienced to novice photographer. Non photographer partners are very welcome & will enjoy this wonderful country. Max 7 Pax.

Tour Itinerary

Day 1 - 8th Nov.
Meet at Bangkok Suvarnabhumi Airport or Hotel. Fly Bangkok to Guwahati, Assam, India. 
Drive to the Bhutan border & clear immigration. Overnight Samdrup Jongkhar, Bhutan.


Day 2- 9th Nov
After breakfast we drive to Pemagatshel with plenty of time to stop & take photo’s. O/N Pemagatshel.


Day 3 - 10th Nov
Pemagatshel festival day. O/N Pemagatshel.


Day 4 - 11th Nov
Drive to Trashigang. Afternoon in Trashigang exploring. Trashigang is considered to be one of the Biggest Districts in Bhutan and it holds the headquarters of Trashigang. The 3rd Temporal Ruler of Bhutan Menjyur Tenpa built it in the 17th century overlooking the convergence of Drangme Chu & the Gambri Chu. O/N Trashigang.


Day 5 - 12th Nov
Drive to Trashi Yangtse. Visit Gom Kora & Chorten Kora & Radi (if time allows). Return to Trashigang for the night.


Day 6 - 13th Nov
Trashigang festival day. O/N Trashigang.


Day 7 - 14th Nov
Drive to Mongar. O/N Mongar.


Day 8 - 15th Nov
Day trip to Luentse. In this part of the east, villages produce the most hand woven fabric, which is called Khusuthakra. O/N Mongar.


Day 9 - 16th Nov
Drive to Jakar via the spectacular Thrumshing La pass 3750m. If time allows we can visit the village of Ura. O/N in Jakar.


Day 10 - 17th Nov
Today we explore the choskar Valley. This is the spiritual heartland of Bhutan. O/N Jakar.


Day 11 - 18th Nov
Drive to Probjikha stopping at Trongsa Dzong. Trongsa is the ancestral home of Bhutan’s Royal Family. Both the First and Second King ruled the Kingdom from  this ancient seat. All the Kings of Bhutan have to become Trongsa’s Penlop (Honorary post of Governor) prior to being crowned as the Druk Gyalpo (King of Bhutan). Trongsa Dzong (Fort), is one of the largest & most impressive in the country. It was first built in 1648 and later enlarged many times. Because of being situated on a high commanding position on the only connecting route between the eastern and western sectors (where the trail actually runs through the Dzong), the Trongsa Penlop was able to control the whole of the eastern region very effectively for many centuries. Visit the ancient watchtower (Ta- Dzong), which is situated above the town. We then drive on to Chendebji Stupa & then cross the Pele La Pass  3,300m. If the weather is clear we will see the high Himalayas & the peak of Jhomolhari at 7,219m. O/N Phobjikha.


Day 12 - 19th Nov
Visit Gangtey Gompa. Gnagtey Gompa was built on a small hillock surrounded by blue pine trees. A descendant of Pema Lingpa (the great Bhutanese saint of Bumthang) built the Gonpa in the 16th century and is a Nyingmapa monastery. If you have a long telephoto lens you may be lucky & get some great images of the Black Necked Cranes that spend the winter in this protected valley. Then drive to Punakha. Here we visit the most beautiful Dzong in Bhutan. O/N in Punakha.


Day 13 - 20th Nov
Day trip to Gasa. O/N Punakha.


Day 14 - 21st Nov
Visit Punakha Dzong, Chimi Lhakhang (Temple of the Divine Madman), Taloe & surrounding area. Then drive to the Dochu La for the sunset. Night at the Dochu La Lodge.


Day 15 - 22nd Nov
Sun rise & breakfast at the Dochu La. Drive to Thimphu for Sightseeing. O/N Thimphu.


Day 16 - 23rd Nov
Drive to Paro via the the Haa Valley & Chele La. O/N Paro.


Day 17 - 24th Nov
Early breakfast. Then we drive to Sartsam Chorten and walk up to Taktsang monastery (Tiger nest). It is believed that Guru Rimpoche, who brought Tantric Buddhism to Bhutan
in the 8th century, meditated here. The monastery was built later in the 17th century on the same site.. Afternoon sightseeing around the Paro valley. O/N Paro.


Day 18 - 25th Nov
Fly to Bangkok.

End of tour.


 


Tour Price; £3,499

 

Price includes:

Flights from Bangkok to India & the return flight From Paro  to Bangkok. All meals (in Bhutan), transport, accommodation (twin share), guides & drivers, entrance fees & Bhutan visa.

 

Not included in the price:                         
                                                      
Flights to & from Bangkok (economy),  drinks, laundry & bar bills, airport taxes, Single Supplement
Charge. Hotel in Bangkok.

Indian Visa. Visa applicacion here

If you wish to stay at the same hotel in Bangkok, we can book that for you or you can book it for the time you wish to stay. 

Tip to guides & drivers.    

Airport taxes.    
                                                                   
Single room supplement.

Full travel insurance should be taken out with a reputable insurance company.  

Please give yourself plenty of time to have the relevant inoculations.   

Excess baggage Charges on Druk Air flights. You can check the allowance here.     

Laundry & Bar Bills.                 
                                                                  


I Want to go!
 

 

 

 

 

In the unlikely event due to weather conditions or other reasons beyond our control, changes to itinerary may occur, for which Windhorse Photography or its contractors in Bhutan accepts no responsibility. In the past ten years we have only had a two hour delay in leaving Paro Airport due to low cloud base.

 

Tour programs booked and subsequently cancelled are subjected to a cancellation charge as follows:
                                                            
*Within 21 days 10% of the rate

*Within 14 days 15% of the rate

*Within 7 days 30% of the rate

*Less than 7 days 50% of the rate

*After arrival in Bhutan 100%

 

 

 


 


 

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